John Slidell (1793-1871)

John Slidell was a Confederate diplomat to France during the Civil War who had previously served as a senator from Louisiana. His arrival in Europe was delayed by the Trent Affair, when he and his fellow diplomat James Mason were removed from their British-registered ship by the commander of a Federal vessel. He remained in France lobbying throughout the war and although he was never able to establish a Franco-Confederate alliance, he did arrange some Confederate financing through private French interests.